Strawberry plant named ‘Ruby June’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘Ruby June.’ This new short day strawberry variety which is partially remontant, exhibiting everbearing tendencies. The variety is characterized by plants with medium to high vigor which produce large, firm conical fruit with great flavor, and an attractive medium red exterior color and a warm red interior color.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed:Fragaria×ananassa.

Variety denomination: ‘Ruby June’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety ofstrawberry named ‘Ruby June.’ This new short day strawberry variety isthe result of a controlled cross in an ongoing breeding program made bythe inventor, Jimmy Bagdasarian, in 2008. The variety is botanicallyknown as Fragaria×ananassa.

The primary market for the ‘Ruby June’ variety is for the fresh marketsales of the fruit. ‘Ruby June’ produces large conical berries with fewcreases, and with good firmness.

2. Description of Relevant Prior Art

The controlled cross, conducted in the ongoing breeding program, whichresulted in the ‘Ruby June’ variety, was between the strawberry varietydesignated ‘10B131,’ a male, and a strawberry variety designated ‘2G16,’a female.

The male parent, ‘10B131,’ is an unreleased proprietary variety havingthe following characteristics: medium day-neutral; globose habit; tightdensity; leaves which are dark green in color; and, the variety exhibitsmedium plant vigor.

The female parent, ‘2G16,’ is an unreleased proprietary variety havingthe following plant characteristics: strong short day; compact growthhabit; leaves have low glossiness with considerable blistering, and aredark green in color; medium firm fruit has an excellent flavor, and anattractive medium red interior color; and the variety exhibits mediumplant vigor.

The leaves of ‘Ruby June’ have medium glossiness and exhibit medium leafblistering in comparison to the leaves of the female parent, ‘2G16,’which have low leaf gloss and considerable leaf blistering. The leafcolor of ‘Ruby June’ is dark green like both of its parent varieties.

The aforementioned controlled cross was carried out in a breedingprogram at Santa Cruz, Calif., USA. Pollen taken from a male ‘10B131’plant pollinated a ‘2G16’ female plant. The flowers were covered so thatno other pollen could contaminate the procedure.

Strawberries developed, were later harvested and the seeds resultingfrom this cross were extracted and germinated in a greenhouse atRedding, Calif., USA. The resulting seedlings were transplanted toShastina, Calif. in 2009, grown for an additional period of time andallowed to propagate asexually. Plants were then harvested and plantedin breeding plots in early to mid-October in: Oxnard, Calif. (VenturaCounty); and Watsonville, Calif. (Monterey County). The selection of thenew variety was first made in Watsonville, Calif. This selection wasdesignated ‘33K46’ in 2010.

The new variety underwent further testing and was propagated asexuallyby stolons in breeding plots. Further testing was conducted undergrowing conditions present in both Northern and Southern districts intest plots in: Macdoel, Calif. (Siskiyou County); and Manteca, Calif.(San Joaquin County).

The new variety has also been “meristemed.” Small pieces of plantmaterial (approximately 0.5 mm in diameter), consisting of theundifferentiated meristem tissue and one or two leaf primordia, wereremoved from the buds on crowns of young daughter plants, then placed onnutrient medium, and new plants were grown from them. Planting stockfrom the “meristemed” plants are growing in a screenhouse located inRedding, Calif.

The new variety was named ‘Ruby June.’ The propagules of ‘Ruby June’(‘33K46’) are identical to the original plant in all distinguishingcharacteristics; accordingly, the propagation discussed above hasdemonstrated that the traits disclosed herein remain fixed and true totype through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Ruby June is a short day variety exhibiting the following combination ofcharacteristics, which have been observed repeatedly, and whichdistinguish this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

-   -   1. The variety produces medium to large sized fruit;    -   2. The fruit is conic, with some periodic tips and creases;    -   3. The fruit has a medium red exterior color and a medium-light        red interior color;    -   4. The fruit is sweet tasting, with very good flavor;    -   5. The fruit is firm with good retention of quality, appearance,        and firmness;    -   6. The plants of the variety are characterized by medium high        vigor, with a large root system, and a semi-upright growth        pattern; and,    -   7. The variety is partially remontant.

The fruit produced by the ‘Ruby June’ plant variety is an attractivemedium red exterior color with medium high glossiness. The color of thefruit is even all the way to the top.

The fruit of ‘Ruby June’ demonstrates other characteristics andqualities that are desired by fresh market strawberry sales companies.The medium red color is preferred by many shippers of fresh strawberriesover the deeper red colored berries which are more likely to be viewedas overripe by buyers than the lighter colored berries.

The plant vigor of ‘Ruby June’ is medium when dug early and plantedimmediately; however, plant vigor is high in Northern districts whenplants are dug late. Runner production also varies with the location ofthe planting, with lower runner production in Southern districts andmoderate runner production in Northern districts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying color photographs, identified as FIGS. 1 through 7,show the appearance of typical specimens of the new strawberry variety,initially designated ‘33K46,’ and now named ‘Ruby June.’

These Figures depict the colors, as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible given differences in color illustrations of this character.Accordingly, color in the photographs may differ slightly from thecolors discussed in the botanical description.

FIG. 1 shows typical leaf and petiole structures of ‘Ruby June’ atmid-season;

FIG. 2 shows typical leaf structure;

FIG. 3 shows a selection of typical mid-season fruit;

FIG. 4 shows typical fruit shape and calyx position over the berry of‘Ruby June’;

FIG. 5 shows a transverse cross-section of typical fruit internalcoloration and core size; and,

FIG. 6 shows typical fruiting plants in a field.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

‘Ruby June’ is a new and distinct variety of strawberry, genus andspecies Fragaria×ananassa. It is the result of a cross between its maleparent, ‘10B131,’ an unreleased proprietary variety, and ‘2G16,’ itsfemale parent. The male parent, ‘10B131,’ is a medium day neutralvariety, and female parent, ‘2G16,’ is a strong short day variety. ‘RubyJune’ is a short-day variety with everbearing tendencies. The plants ofthe new variety have a semi-upright growth habit, with medium high vigorand a large root system. ‘Ruby June’ exhibits several characteristicswhich are improvements over one or both of its parent varieties, and/orother known cultivars. The characteristics of ‘Ruby June’ were observedin plants aged four to eight months from planting. These characteristicsand comparisons with other cultivars are discussed following.

The various data set forth for ‘Ruby June’ in Tables 1, 2, and 3 wascollected and evaluated in 2012 through 2014, from plants grown at theMeridian ranch test plot, in Prunedale, Monterey County, Calif. Colorterminology where noted herein for ‘Ruby June’ is in accordance with thePanton Color Formula Guide GP 1201.

In Table 1, the observed characteristics of ‘Ruby June’ are set forth.

TABLE 1 Detailed Description of Characteristics of ‘Ruby June’SPECIFICATION: Genus/Species Fragaria × Ananassa. Market nameStrawberry. PARENTS: Male Proprietary variety ‘10B131’ (unpatented).Female Proprietary variety ‘2G16’ (unpatented). PLANT: Type Short Daywith everbearing tendencies. Growth habit Upright. Foliage densityDense. Vigor Medium to high. Height Average: 33.8 cm; range: 31 cm to 37cm. Width Average: 46.9 cm; range: 38 cm to 56 cm. Crowns Multiplecrowns produced early after planting. Disease tolerance Test plants,grown in plots in areas with disease pressure, have shown excellenttolerance. In early observations of plants grown in a coastal Californiaarea, plants have exhibited excellent tolerance to Fusarium oxysporum(Fusarium wilt) as compared to ‘Monterey’ cultivar plants grown in thesame area. LEAF: Width Average: 21.95 cm; range: 19.5 cm to 24.5 cm.Color Adaxial Surface: green 350 U. Abaxial Surface: green 364 U.Pubescence Medium density. Inter-vein blistering Medium. GlossinessMedium. Variegation None. TERMINAL LEAFLET: Length Average: 11.31 cm;range: 9.0 cm to 13.3 cm. Width Average: 8.42 cm; range: 6.6 cm to 9.6cm. Ratio length to width 1.34. Margin Serrate to crenate. Leaf shapeOrbicular. Base shape Acute. Cross-section shape Concave. PETIOLE:Pubescence Medium-high density; direction: almost perpendicular. Petiolecolor Green 365 U. Petiole length Average: 21.75 cm; range: 17.5 cm to25 cm. Petiole diameter Average: 4.93 mm; range: 3.9 mm to 5.8 mm.STIPULE: Stipule anthocyanin Present, but mild. coloration LengthAverage: 33.15 mm; range 28.1 to 38.0 mm. Width Average: 15.4 mm range10.9 to 22.9 mm. STOLON: Stolon anthocyanin Present; medium intensity.coloration Pubescence Medium high; upward direction. Diameter Average:4.0 mm; range: 3.5 mm to 4.4 mm. INFLORESCENCE: Flowering time Early.Position Primary bract at or below foliage with bloom above foliageNumber of blooms Average: 4.7; range: 3 to 8. Length Fruiting clustersmid-season: average 32.45 cm; range: 25 cm to 39.5 cm. Flower Averagediameter: 27.31 mm; range: 19.37 mm to 34.12 mm. Petal arrangementTouching. Petals Average number per flower: 5.2; range: 5 to 6. PetalLength Average: 11.8 mm; range: 9.1 mm to 13.7 mm. Petal Width Average:10.75 mm; range: 8.1 mm to 13.4 mm. Ratio length to width 1.10. PetalColor Upper side: white, 11-4201 TPX. Calyx Size in relation to corolla:slightly larger. Calyx color Adaxial Surface: green 364 U. AbaxialSurface: green 370 U. Stamens Average number: 23.5; range 21 to 34.Pedicel Attitude of hairs is upwards oblique. FRUIT: Bearing Partiallyremontant. Shape Conical. Length Average: 4.4 cm; range: 3.6 cm to 5.0cm. Width Average: 3.6 cm; range: 3.3 cm to 4.0 cm. Ratio length towidth 1.22. Size Average grams per berry: 30.48 g. Achenes Sunken below,to slightly protruding from, the fruit surface. Glossiness Medium high.External color Medium red 1797 C Internal color Flesh, excluding core:Pantone Warm Red C Evenness of external color To the top of berry. Widthof band at top Small. devoid of achenes Fruit center Little to somehollowness. Firmness Moderately firm, but less than the very firm fruitof ‘Sweet Ann.’

In Table 2, the foliar characteristics of ‘Ruby June’ are compared withthe varieties ‘Aromas’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,451), ‘Sweet Ann’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 22,472) and ‘Albion’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,228). InTable 3, the flower and fruit characteristics of ‘Ruby June’ arecompared with the varieties ‘Sweet Ann’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,472) and‘Albion’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,228). In Table 4, comparison of leafand fruit colors is made between ‘Ruby June’ and several commerciallygrown cultivars.

Color terminology where noted herein respecting all cultivars, except‘Albion,’ is in accordance with the Pantone Color Formula Guide. Colorterminology respecting ‘Albion’ is in reference to the Munsell colorsystem.

Plants and Foliage

The form and structure of the plants of ‘Ruby June’ are semi-uprightwith dense foliage. In comparison, the plants of ‘Sweet Ann,’ which hasthe same male parent (‘10B131’) as ‘Ruby June’, are erect and open. Theplants ‘Ruby June’ are slightly shorter than those of ‘Sweet Ann.’However, the plant spread or width of ‘Ruby June’ is significantlygreater than any of the comparison varieties. The plants of ‘Ruby June,’are large in comparison to many other commercial cultivars grown infresh strawberry production fields in California. ‘Ruby June’ alsoexhibits high plant vigor in the Northern districts.

In Table 3, comparative data for plant and leaf characteristics for‘Ruby June,’ ‘Aromas,’ ‘Sweet Ann’ and ‘Albion’ are set forth.

TABLE 2 Foliar Characteristics of ‘Ruby June’ Compared to ‘Aromas,’‘Sweet Ann,’ and ‘Albion’ Foliar Cultivar Name Characteristic ‘RubyJune’ ‘Aromas’ ‘Sweet Ann’ ‘Albion’ Plant height (mm) Average 338 272380 252 Range 310-370 240-300 290-480 210-270 Plant spread (mm) Average469 323 420 341 Range 380-560 300-360 330-510 304-394 Leaf width (mm)Average 219.5 135 165 135 Range 195-245 120-150 130-195 105-170 Mid-tierleaflet length (mm) Average 113 79 88 73 Range 90-133 70-90 72-105 50-95Mid-tier leaflet width (mm) Average 84 74 67 68 Range 66-96 60-80 52-8850-95 Petiole length (mm) Average 217.5 174 220 105 Range 175-250140-210 150-280 70-130 Petiole diameter (mm) Average 4.93 4.5 3.74 4.1Range 3.90-5.80 4-6 3.01-4.29 3.7-4.6 Number 3 3 3 3 leaflets per leafLeaf convexity Concave Mostly flat to Slight Some flat, convex concavemost slight concave Shape Acute Moderately Obtuse Obtuse leaflet baseoblique Leaf Medium Moderate Medium Light- pubescence density densitymoderate Petiole Medium Moderate- Medium Heavy pubescence high heavydensity density Petiole Nearly Perpendicular Perpendi- Perpendi-direction perpendicular cular cular Stipule length (mm) Average 33.1534.2 N/A 23.3 Range 28.1-38.0 30-39 14-34 Stipule Weak yes Very weakWeak yes Yes anthocyanin coloration Leaf Serrate to Rounded to CommonlySemi- margins crenate semi-pointed crenate pointed Leaf color 350 U 5GY4/3 364 U 5GY 5/6 adaxial surface Leaf color 364 U 10Y 4/3 370 U 5GY 4/4abaxial surface Petiole 380 U 5GY 8/8 383 U 5GY 7/10 color Leaf surfaceMedium Medium to Very weak Medium blistering strong Leaf surface Medium— Medium Low glossiness

Flowering and Fruit

‘Ruby June’ is a short-day variety that is partially remontant. Theprimary flowers of ‘Ruby June’ are smaller than those of ‘Sweet Ann’ andthose of ‘Albion.’ The flowers of ‘Ruby June’ exhibit five to six petalsper bloom, similar to ‘Sweet Ann,’ and with less variation than theflowers of ‘Albion’ which range from five to eight petals per bloom.

The fruit of ‘Ruby June’ has excellent culinary qualities, including:desirable shape and size, lighter red color than ‘Albion,’ and a sweetstrawberry flavor.

In Table 3, comparative data for flower and fruit characteristics for‘Ruby June,’ ‘Sweet Ann’ and ‘Albion’ are set forth.

TABLE 3 Flower and Fruit Characteristics of ‘Ruby June’ Compared to‘Sweet Ann’ and ‘Albion’ Cultivar Characteristic ‘Ruby June’ ‘Sweet Ann’‘Albion’ Petal number 5-6 5-6 5-8 Petal length (mm): 11.8 11.21 12.7Average Petal length (mm): Range 9.1-13.7 9.2-13.13 11-15 Petal width(mm): Average 10.75 11.05 12.6 Petal width (mm): Range 8.1-13.4 9.0-13.111-14.0 Position of flower most even, most exposed, most exposed,(relative to foliage) some exposed some even some even Fruit shapeconical long conical long conical Fruit length (mm): 44 49.4 60.5Average Fruit length (mm): Range 36-50 — 55-75 Fruit width (mm): Average36.3 — 49.7 Fruit width (mm): Range 33-40 — 45-55

The leaf and fruit colors of ‘Ruby June’ is readily distinguished fromthat of several other commercially grown strawberry varieties. Theexterior color of the fruit of ‘Ruby June’ is medium red, which isslightly darker than the medium red color of the ‘Sweet Ann’ fruit, butlighter than the deeper colored ‘Albion’ fruit. The interior color ofthe fruit of ‘Ruby June’ is lighter than that of ‘Sweet Ann’ and of‘Albion’ fruit.

Table 4 shows the visually observed characteristics of the leaf andfruit colors of ‘Ruby June’ as compared to the leaf and fruit colorcharacteristics of ‘Sweet Ann,’ ‘Chandler,’ ‘Camarosa,’ ‘Albion,’ and‘Catalina.’

TABLE 4 Comparison of Leaf and Fruit Colors of ‘Ruby June’ to OtherCultivars Color Color Color Color Cultivar Adaxial Leaf Abaxial LeafExternal Fruit Internal Fruit ‘Ruby June’ 364 C 364 U 1797 C PantoneWarm Red C ‘Sweet Ann’ 364 U 370 U 185 C 1788 C ‘Chandler’ 343 C 339 U186 C 179 C ‘Camarosa’ 349 C 348 U 193 C 185 C ‘Albion’ 5GY 3/2 5GY 5/6SR 3/7 7.5R 3/6 ‘Catalina’ 343 C 349 U 193 C 185 C

Leaf samples from ‘Ruby June,’ along with two advanced proprietary(unpatented) selections from the breeding program: ‘42J4’ and ‘17J34,’were submitted to a lab for allelic fingerprint comparison to thecontrol variety, “Camarosa,” and the over two hundred other varieties ofstrawberry in its data base. The allelic fingerprint analysisestablishes that ‘Ruby June’ is distinct and unique compared to thelab's large database of allelic fingerprints. Table 5 below sets forththe test results.

TABLE 5 Allelic Fingerprint Analysis Cultivar Ml M2 M3 ‘Ruby June’ 206,224, 229 188,190, 216, 232 235, 241, 245, 265 ‘42J4’ 202, 204, 206, 229188, 216, 232 235, 241, 245, 269 ‘17J34’ 204, 206, 214, 229 173, 190,232 231, 243, 245, 265, 269 ‘Camarosa’ 214, 222, 224, 229 188, 190, 216,232 247, 265

Performance

Performance with respect to fruit size, yield, and appearance for ‘RubyJune’ was assessed by making comparisons with ‘Sweet Ann,’ and twoadvanced proprietary (unpatented) selections from the breeding program:‘42J4’ and 33K46.’ All plants for these trials were initially grown at ahigh elevation nursery in Macdoel, Siskiyou County, Calif. The plants of‘Ruby June’ and the comparison varieties were then planted and evaluatedat the Meridian ranch test plot in Monterey County, Calif. in 2012 and2013.

The average fruit size of 30.48 grams per berry for ‘Ruby June’ issmaller than the very large fruit produced by ‘Sweet Ann,’ the othercomparison cultivars, or of ‘Albion’ (33.0 g/berry). The fruit of ‘RubyJune,’ however, retains its attractive appearance, even very ripe,maintaining its desirable characteristics during shipment of the fruitto market.

The fruit of ‘Ruby June’ and the comparison cultivars were rated basedupon commercial appearance using a scale wherein a numerical score of“5” represents the best appearance score. ‘Ruby June’ rated good, with ascore of 3.75, as compared to: ‘Sweet Ann’ and ‘Albion,’ each of whichhave a commercial appearance rating of 4.0; and, ‘Aromas’ which has arating of 3.3.

Table. 6 shows the performance of ‘Ruby June’ compared to ‘Sweet Ann,’and the proprietary unpatented varieties designated ‘42J4’ and ‘17J34.’

TABLE 6 Comparison of Performance of ‘Ruby June’ to ‘Sweet Ann’ ‘42J4’and ‘17J34’ Yield Size Appearance Cultivar grams/plant grams/berryRating 5 = Best ‘Ruby June’ 919 30.48 3.75 ‘Sweet Ann’ 1,738 47.5 4.0‘42J4’ 1,057 33.25 4.5 ‘17J34’ 1,483 39.92 3.75

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct strawberry plant named ‘Ruby June’ asherein described and illustrated by the characterizations set forthabove.